Short course
The Architectural Secrets of Oxford’s Classical Buildings
Course status:
Closed to new applications
Dates and time:
01/08/2026 - 08/08/202609:00 - 12:30
Study format:
Summer schools
Fees:
£1,375.00 – £2,310.00
Analyse Oxford architecture and discover how the original architects composed their designs, along with the often-forgotten meanings they put into them. Featuring guest lectures from both practitioners and academics.
Classical architecture is based on a tradition expressed in every classical building, old or new. The composition of classical buildings has developed alongside the tradition and we will learn from old and new examples, both to understand the work of past architects and take this forward into contemporary design.
Alongside the development of composition, a rich vocabulary of symbol has evolved. Symbols had specific meaning in classical architecture and understanding them enlightens us about architecture of each period including our own. Oxford is a rich repository of composition and symbolism in architecture for teaching and experimenting with new classical design.
The course will look analyse Oxford architecture to see how the original architects composed the design and the often-forgotten meanings they put into them. There will be guest lectures from practitioners on how they compose their buildings and from academics on the study of symbols.
Students will finish with an essay or a design of their own.
This course is part of the Oxford University Summer School for Adults (OUSSA) programme.
Apply for this course
Apply using the button below.
Seminars
Participants are taught in small seminar groups of up to 10 students, and receive two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor.
Sunday
Seminar 1: Introduction to the Course, students and tutors
Seminar 2: Classical Architecture and the Orders, an introduction
Monday
Seminar 3: Symbolism and Classical Architecture
Seminar 4:
- From antiquity to the present, the evolution of Classical Architecture
- How Oxford’s Classical Architecture represents classicism and has changed over time
Tuesday
Seminar 5: Looking at Oxford’s classical buildings 1
Seminar 6: Looking at Oxford’s classical buildings 2
Wednesday
Seminar 7: The analysis of the composition of key classical buildings in Oxford
Seminar 8:
- Sharing ideas behind the meaning and symbolism of key classical buildings in Oxford
- Analysis and design
Thursday
Seminar 9: Compositional and symbolic ideas from students
Seminar 10: Compositional and symbolic ideas from students
Friday
Seminar 11: Review and discussion of student compositions
Seminar 12: Course review
Programme timetable
The daily timetable will normally be as follows:
Saturday
14.00–16.30 – Registration
16.30–17.00 – Orientation meeting
17.00–17.30 – Classroom orientation for tutor and students
17.30–18.00 – Drinks reception
18.00–20.00 – Welcome dinner
Sunday – Friday
09.00–10.30 – Seminar
10.30–11.00 – Tea/coffee break
11.00–12.30 – Seminar
12.30–13.30 – Lunch
13.30–18.00 – Afternoons are free for tutorials, individual study, course-related field trips or exploring the many places of interest in and around Oxford.
18.00–19.00 – Dinner (there is a formal gala dinner every Friday to close each week of the programme).
A range of optional social events will be offered throughout the summer school. These are likely to include: a quiz night, visit to historic pubs in Oxford, visit to Christ Church for Evensong and after-dinner talks and discussions.
Residential options are outlined below.
Please see the ‘application’ section above for guidance on how to book or request the right accommodation for you.
Residential option
This includes accommodation and all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
View full details of Rewley House accommodation.
Non-residential option
We also offer places on a non-residential basis whereby participants can take classes and have meals (lunch and dinner) at Rewley House, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere.
Course aims
This course aims to give students an exceptional depth of understanding of classical architecture
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course students will have been given the opportunity to understand:
- The principles of classical architecture.
- The history of classical architecture.
- The evolution and response to social change in classical architecture.
- Compositional principles in classical architecture.
Teaching methods
The teaching methods used during this course may include:
- Short lectures/presentations
- Physical handouts
- Seminars/group discussions
- Student presentations
Assessment methods
Participants are required to undertake preparatory reading and complete a pre-course assignment of 1,500 words. Although this does not count towards credit, it is seen as an important way of developing your ideas and is mandatory. The pre-course assignment is typically due in the first week of June.
You will be assessed during the summer school by either a 1,000 word written assignment or a presentation supported by individual documentation. To successfully gain credit (10 CATS points) students should attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment.
Participants will also attend two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor during the week.
Please see the ‘certification’ section for more details about CATS points.
Prof Robert Adam
Professor Robert Adam has practiced architecture for 45 years and has an international reputation as one of the leading exponents of contextual urbanism and modern traditional design. In 1992 he founded ADAM Architecture, now the largest architecture practice specialising in traditional design in Europe. He has written six books, including a textbook on classical architecture and an analysis of how globalisation has affected world architecture, and is a regular contributor of papers, articles and chapters to books, journals and newspapers. He has won numerous prizes including the prestigious Richard H. Driehaus Prize, for “the highest ideals of traditional and classical architecture in contemporary society”. Adam holds a bachelors degree from the University of Westminster and a doctorate from Oxford Brookes University.
Certificate of Attendance
All participants who complete the course will receive a physical Certificate of Attendance.
Digital badge
You will also be issued with an official digital badge of attendance. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download this. You will be able to share this on social media and add to your email signature if you wish to do so.
Academic credit
OUSSA is an accredited summer school taught at undergraduate level; each one-week course carries 10 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points at FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) Level 4.
CATS points will be awarded to students who attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment to the required standard. Please see the ‘assessment methods’ section below for more details.
Certificate of Higher Education
Credit (CATS points) earned from OUSSA can be transferred towards our flexible Certificate of Higher Education. This part-time, award-bearing course lets you decide what, how and where you study by gaining credit from short courses, including short online courses, in-person weekly classes and OUSSA.
For full details, including transfering credit gained from OUSSA to the programme, see our Certificate of Higher Education programme page.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Fee Option 1 (Single en suite – inc. Tuition and Meals) | £2205.00 |
| Fee Option 2 (Double en suite – inc. Tuition and Meals) 1 person | £2310.00 |
| Fee Option 3 (Twin en suite – inc. Tuition and Meals) per person | £1850.00 |
| Fee Option 4 (No Accommodation – inc. Tuition, Lunch & Dinner) | £1375.00 |
Payment
All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.
Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.
Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances; however, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.
Payment terms
- If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking
- If submitting an application form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date
Cancellations and refunds
Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.
The Department cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. You are advised to check the terms and conditions carefully and to purchase travel insurance.
Funding
Concessionary rates are available on a non-residential basis for those that qualify.
The concessionary fee is for non-residential attendance only; participants will then be responsible for finding their own accommodation. See full details including eligibility.
Recommended reading
Robert Adam (1990). Classical Architecture: a complete handbook. Viking.
John Summerson (1980). The Classical Language of Architecture. Thames and Hudson.
James Steven Curl (2002). Classical Architecture. Batsford.
J.J. Coulton (2014). Ancient Greek Architects at Work. Cornell University Press.
Module code: O25I407SSR
Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.
Please note, the programme is only open to those over the age of 18.
Online enrolment (single person accommodation and non-residential)
Single accommodation, double room for 1 person and non-residential places should be booked online by clicking on the ‘Book now’ button at the top of this page.
Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.
Enrolment form (multi-occupancy or accessible accommodation)
Those requiring twin, double or accessible accommodation (including ground/lower floor accommodation) should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked or requested online.
Please send the completed enrolment form to the email address below. Both the PDF and Word option of the form below are editable, so you can complete them online before saving and sending to us as an email attachment. You do not need to print and scan them. (Please use these forms only if you are making a twin or double booking for two people.)
- Enrolment form – editable PDF
- Enrolment form – Microsoft Word
Those who have specific requirements (eg an accessible bedroom) should contact the Programme Administrator directly at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or OUSSA, University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.